South Africa
June 17th

“You are my Lord; apart from you, South Africa has no good thing!”

I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.”(Psalm 16:2,NIV)

》 Country Profile

Continent | Africa
Population | 57 million
Area | 1,219,090㎢, Located at the southernmost tip of Africa.
Capital City | Cape Town (4.8 million/legislative capital), Pretoria (2.74 million/administrative capital), Johannesburg (11.11 million)
People Groups | T65 groups,Black Africans 80.9% (Zulu 22.6%, Xhosa 14.2%, Pedi 8.9%, Sotho 7.4%), Multiracial 8.8%, Whites 7.8%, Asians 2.5%
People Groups Unreached | 8 groups (1.6% of the population)
Official Language(s) |  English, Afrikaans
Total Languages | 44
Bible Translations | Completed 30, New Testament 3, Partial 5
Religion | Christianity 77.1% (Independent church 37%, Protestant 21%), Ethnic religion 12.7%, Islam 1.3%, Hinduism 1.3%, Evangelicals 21% (12 million people)

》 About South Africa

South Africa began to see Dutch immigration in 1652 when the Dutch East India Company landed in Cape Town to establish a supply base for oriental trade. They called themselves “Boers” (farmers). Conflicts between the Boers and the indigenous people continued. From the late 18th century, British expansion persisted, and in 1814, Cape Town became a British colony. In response, the Boers moved north and established the Orange Free State in 1852 and the Transvaal Republic in 1854. However, after their defeat in the Boer War in 1899, the two republics became British colonies in 1902. In 1910, the Union of South Africa was formed and gained independence as a member of the British Commonwealth.
After World War II, the Boer-led National Party came to power in 1948, reinforcing apartheid policies. In 1961, South Africa declared itself a republic and withdrew from the British Commonwealth. More than 70 racial segregation laws were enacted, and the country continued its control over South West Africa (now Namibia), leading to widespread international condemnation. Black South Africans resisted apartheid through the African National Congress (ANC) and other movements. The Soweto Uprising in 1976 gained international attention. In 1985, violent clashes between the white government and black citizens intensified over racial discrimination. In the 1989 general election, the National Party won, and President F.W. de Klerk took office, initiating democratization and power-sharing with black South Africans. In 1990, apartheid policies were abolished. In 1994, the first multiracial free election took place, ending over 320 years of white rule. Nelson Mandela became president, and a black-majority government (effectively a black-white coalition government) was established. In 1996, a new constitution emphasizing the abolition of racial discrimination and human rights protection was adopted and fully implemented in 1999. In the 2019 general election, the ANC secured a majority, and Cyril Ramaphosa remains the president.

South Africa has a middle-income emerging market economy, rich in natural resources, with well-developed financial, legal, telecommunications, energy, and transportation sectors. The Johannesburg Stock Exchange is the largest in Africa and ranks among the top twenty stock exchanges globally. The mining industry, powered by South Africa’s vast underground resources, has driven its economic growth. The country holds the world’s largest reserves of minerals such as chromium, gold, diamonds, manganese, nickel, and platinum. As Africa’s most industrialized and wealthiest nation, South Africa accounts for over 20% of the continent’s total GDP. However, the country still faces significant challenges, including extreme unemployment, poverty, and inequality. The unemployment rate stands at 28.5%, with an alarming 59.4% unemployment rate among black youth. Economic disparity is severe, with 55.5% of the population living below the poverty line.
South Africa’s GDP per capita is approximately $11,500.

》 Scripture Focus

》 Prayer Points

1. Although 77% of South Africa’s population identifies as Christian, nearly half of the independent churches practice religious syncretism, and heresies are increasing. Let us pray earnestly that the churches will stand firm in the gospel of the cross, remove all idols, and become pure churches that rely only on God. Churches are actively reaching out to serve victims of sexual violence, criminals, AIDS patients, prisoners, the urban poor, and the unemployed.
Let us pray that, through the obedience of the Church, mercy, forgiveness, and acceptance will overflow in this land. Prayer movements such as the Global Day of Prayer (GDOP), which began in 2001, have had a great impact worldwide. Let us pray that the churches will unite in the gospel and pray with one heart, becoming channels of life for South Africa and the nations.

2. South Africa is a nation with a strong vision for missions, sending many missionaries worldwide. About 20,000 missionaries are serving overseas, and many are also ministering domestically. Let us pray and bless these missionaries so that they may mature in the gospel and humbly unite with the local church. Due to the lingering effects of apartheid, there is still distrust, hatred, and deep wounds between different racial groups.
Let us pray that missionaries and mission organizations will demonstrate the love and unity of Jesus Christ without discrimination through their lives. Let us also pray that people will receive the grace to overcome their fears and take refuge in the Lord, the source of all blessings.

3. According to the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), in 2018, approximately 7.7 million people in South Africa were living with HIV/AIDS, making up more than 13% of the total population. There are 1.2 million AIDS orphans, and women are particularly vulnerable to infection.
Let us pray that those suffering from AIDS will have hearts open to God and stand before the cross. Additionally, let us pray for God’s holy and righteous rule to be established in this country, where homosexuality and same-sex marriage are legal. Let us also pray for the rapidly growing Muslim population and the more than 5 million foreign immigrants crossing the border, that they may hear and receive the gospel.

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